It would probably work out more cost effective to buy modern 2.4ghz radio gear, I realise for some people using the older kit is half the appeal though. The newer stuff has hugely superior battery life, range, resistance to shared channels and is a fraction of the price.

Try googling for 'Radio Control Crystals'.

Crystals of this type aren't as readily available as they used to be because technology has moved on. ebay may be your best bet. I found this RC seller disposing of unwanted stock. RS Components sell crystals

Also Farnell and others. You can have them made to order, but that's expensive for one-offs. This chap in the USA specialises in older crystals.

The important thing is the frequencies of the crystals, for which you need to read the manual. The transmit crystal and receive crystal are off-set from each other by a gap that suits the receiver. I don't know if radio control offsets are standard or peculiar to each model. Perhaps another forum member knows?

The other issue with crystals is the package. They come in various sizes with pins spaced to fit various types of socket. I'd guess an old transistor unit would be HC6/U or HC48. Some are soldered in. If a crystal doesn't fit the socket the connection can be bodged to make it work, but this isn't for everybody.

Obviously hubby has a good reason for wanting to revive an antique radio control unit. But, if he just wants to use it for bog standard radio control, tell him it's far less stressful to buy a new one. Disheartening when you have gone to a lot of time, trouble, and expense sourcing crystals to switch on and find that the transmitter, receiver, or both are faulty.

Dave

Don't listen to the nay sayers. A pair of crystals will cost less than a fiver, so have a try before throwing the gear out.

You need a transmitter and receiver pair, and they must be 27Mhz or 35MHz band to suit the transmitter.

The key point is they don't need to be Macgregor crystals, any brand will do as long as they are intended for remote control. The internet seems to be awash with cheap Futaba pairs, they will work fine – you may need to unclip the transmitter crystal from a plastic carrier to fit it in the Macgregor unit..

Neil

Hi

There is a copy of the manual for the Digimac system here. This gives data on the crystal numbers re their frequency and for No. 3 crystals this is Tx 27.020 MHz and Rx 26.550 MHz. As Neil says you probably don't need branded Macgregor crystals its just the frequency you need to verify. The difference in frequency between the crystals is defined by the receiver IF strip frequency, in this case 470 KHz which should be standard across most manufacture's systems at that time. Unless he desperately needs to operate on channel 3 then any pair of crystals desinged to work within the 27 MHz band should be fine.

Hope this helps

Martin

PS

A modern list of Tx frequencies is given here and from this it looks like Channels 6 and 7 are the closest modern equivalent at 27.015 MHz and 27.025 MHz respectively. However looking on Ebay it would appear that this has not been universally accepted and that the crystals on offer refer to an intermediate channel numbering system, the nearest offered units would appear to be T8/R8 at 27.025 MHz as listed here.

Edited By Martin W on 15/07/2018 12:00:13

Ripmax sell 27Mhz crystals , which are available from many model shops . Their web page lists local suppliers .

No doubt very informed information but I think it may be a bit too late, this is an old thread.

Emgee

Excellent logic, Sir

MichaelG.

.

P.S. I just looked back at your first post [in 2014] and note that the link appears to be dead

In the spirit of what you have done on this thread … is the resource still available ?

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 19/11/2019 07:38:05

Another MacGregor Digimac VI request. I think I have fried my receiver through a crass and idiotic action. Anyone know where I can get another?

Alternatively, maybe, I note that there are plenty of 27mHz receivers on eBay. Are receivers generally compatible with any make transmitter using the same wavelength, assuming the crystals match ?

As usual, any assistance gratefully received.

Mick